Trying to Identify This Prop

[RSeccombe]

Hi Everyone,

First post. I ran into a great thread on this website regarding the identification of aircraft props and hope that someone might be able to help me with this.

I picked up this prop yesterday at an estate sale. The owner (passed) had quite a bit of aircraft memorabilia and the prop was setting on the hearth of his fireplace like a piece of art.

I flew small stuff way back and at least know it is one of either a two or three bladed constant speed prop. It stands 52" tall and is quite heavy. There is a lot of corrosion at the base and so far I haven't been able to find any markings. I am considering having it restored and don't want to do anything that would jeopardize the finish.
I would really appreciate any input you may have.

 

[pb43]

I would say it is a bit small for a VP, more like a ground adjustable.

 

[Michael Hope]

It looks like a variable pitch blade. The blade bushing is similar to the Hamilton Standard aluminum bracket type. I assume that is was blade for a trainer that used wood instead of aluminum. Below is a listing that shows the BT13B used a wooden blade instead of the aluminum blade of the BT13A. I can not confirm its actual use.

 

[Michael Hope]

The 42K13717 blade was an Erco manufactured blade. Here is a web page with Erco information.

https://notplanejane.com/erco.htm

 

[Michael Hope]

The blade made be from a two position propeller as used in a trainer, i.e. fine pitch or course pitch. This would be a variable pitch propeller, but not necessarily a constant speed propeller with a governor to control the constant speed.

 

[MiTasol]

If for the Stinson L-5 it was more likely a ground adjustable prop as those engines had no provisions for VP props.

 

[Michael Hope]

The blade is not for a ground adjustable propeller. It has a solid outer race as seen in the OP image 2, and a blade bushing for indexing the counter weight bracket in image 3. Here is a image of a Hamilton Standard 2D30 propeller blade showing the outer race then roller bearing item # 11, and the blade bushing item # 7 showing the slots for the index pins.

 

[skyking1]

I did not see any data supporting a ground adjustable on the L-5 either.

 

[mjfur]

While exceedingly rare they did exist.

 

[swampyankee]

Hi Everyone,

First post. I ran into a great thread on this website regarding the identification of aircraft props and hope that someone might be able to help me with this.

I picked up this prop yesterday at an estate sale. The owner (passed) had quite a bit of aircraft memorabilia and the prop was setting on the hearth of his fireplace like a piece of art.

I flew small stuff way back and at least know it is one of either a two or three bladed constant speed prop. It stands 52" tall and is quite heavy. There is a lot of corrosion at the base and so far I haven't been able to find any markings. I am considering having it restored and don't want to do anything that would jeopardize the finish.
I would really appreciate any input you may have. View attachment 887464View attachment 887465View attachment 887466View attachment 887467View attachment 887468

Given the blade is 52 in long, it would be in a propeller at least 116 in diameter and probably about 122 in diameter, so around ten feet. Given typical power/diameter^2 of the wwii era, the engine would be about 600 hp. (The WWII T-6 Texan/Harvard's prop was about 9 ft in diameter)

As far as I know, Hamilton Standard never did wooden blades, which may help. Your best bet may be to ask at the AEHS website, enginehistory.org.

 

[Michael Hope]

Here is a BT13 with a Hamilton Standard 2D30 with the wooden blade by ERCO, image taken from "notplanejane" web site.

 

[RSeccombe]

Thank you so much everyone!
Sure wish I could find some markings and I'll keep trying.
I'll also take your advise and ask the AEHS website.
Thank you again